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30 Oct, 2024 by Vanessa johnson
The absolute best law firm in town!
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16 Jul, 2024 by Lazara heyman
Amanda Smith, Esq. at the White Bird law firm help my husband and I set up our Trust and other documents. She is friendly, kind professional. Amanda explained everything to us in detail. We had a wonderful experience. I recommend White Bird to my family and friends
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20 Jun, 2024 by Heidi engel
White Bird Law is effective, efficient, and understands the laws in depth. Their communication is honest, open and up front. No nonsense and reliable. My case was a mess due to my own avoidant strategies and an initial legal team from another firm that did not support, educate, inform or provide the needed services. White Bird helped me clean up all my estate issues perfectly. Look no further, they are the law firm you need for fair, intelligent and reliable services.
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30 Oct, 2024 by Vanessa johnson
The absolute best law firm in town!
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16 Jul, 2024 by Lazara heyman
Amanda Smith, Esq. at the White Bird law firm help my husband and I set up our Trust and other documents. She is friendly, kind professional. Amanda explained everything to us in detail. We had a wonderful experience. I recommend White Bird to my family and friends
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20 Jun, 2024 by Heidi engel
White Bird Law is effective, efficient, and understands the laws in depth. Their communication is honest, open and up front. No nonsense and reliable. My case was a mess due to my own avoidant strategies and an initial legal team from another firm that did not support, educate, inform or provide the needed services. White Bird helped me clean up all my estate issues perfectly. Look no further, they are the law firm you need for fair, intelligent and reliable services.
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30 Oct, 2024 by Vanessa johnson
The absolute best law firm in town!
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16 Jul, 2024 by Lazara heyman
Amanda Smith, Esq. at the White Bird law firm help my husband and I set up our Trust and other documents. She is friendly, kind professional. Amanda explained everything to us in detail. We had a wonderful experience. I recommend White Bird to my family and friends
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20 Jun, 2024 by Heidi engel
White Bird Law is effective, efficient, and understands the laws in depth. Their communication is honest, open and up front. No nonsense and reliable. My case was a mess due to my own avoidant strategies and an initial legal team from another firm that did not support, educate, inform or provide the needed services. White Bird helped me clean up all my estate issues perfectly. Look no further, they are the law firm you need for fair, intelligent and reliable services.
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30 Oct, 2024 by Vanessa johnson
The absolute best law firm in town!
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16 Jul, 2024 by Lazara heyman
Amanda Smith, Esq. at the White Bird law firm help my husband and I set up our Trust and other documents. She is friendly, kind professional. Amanda explained everything to us in detail. We had a wonderful experience. I recommend White Bird to my family and friends
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20 Jun, 2024 by Heidi engel
White Bird Law is effective, efficient, and understands the laws in depth. Their communication is honest, open and up front. No nonsense and reliable. My case was a mess due to my own avoidant strategies and an initial legal team from another firm that did not support, educate, inform or provide the needed services. White Bird helped me clean up all my estate issues perfectly. Look no further, they are the law firm you need for fair, intelligent and reliable services.
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30 Oct, 2024 by Vanessa johnson
The absolute best law firm in town!
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16 Jul, 2024 by Lazara heyman
Amanda Smith, Esq. at the White Bird law firm help my husband and I set up our Trust and other documents. She is friendly, kind professional. Amanda explained everything to us in detail. We had a wonderful experience. I recommend White Bird to my family and friends
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20 Jun, 2024 by Heidi engel
White Bird Law is effective, efficient, and understands the laws in depth. Their communication is honest, open and up front. No nonsense and reliable. My case was a mess due to my own avoidant strategies and an initial legal team from another firm that did not support, educate, inform or provide the needed services. White Bird helped me clean up all my estate issues perfectly. Look no further, they are the law firm you need for fair, intelligent and reliable services.
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30 Mar, 2024 by Dustin watts
They forced my grandmother into a $7000/ month living facility, bankrupted her, stole over $150K from my family, now is trying to take my uncles home and charge us $2000 for last year when they did literally nothing.
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19 Mar, 2024 by Ellen yarnell
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29 Jun, 2023 by Cindi wooten
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30 Mar, 2024 by Dustin watts
They forced my grandmother into a $7000/ month living facility, bankrupted her, stole over $150K from my family, now is trying to take my uncles home and charge us $2000 for last year when they did literally nothing.
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19 Mar, 2024 by Ellen yarnell
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29 Jun, 2023 by Cindi wooten
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30 Mar, 2024 by Dustin watts
They forced my grandmother into a $7000/ month living facility, bankrupted her, stole over $150K from my family, now is trying to take my uncles home and charge us $2000 for last year when they did literally nothing.
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19 Mar, 2024 by Ellen yarnell
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29 Jun, 2023 by Cindi wooten
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18 Mar, 2024 by Beata janowicz
Joan was the only attorney who agreed to help me sort out several things related to my divorce that had taken place 15 years ago. She did it in a very professional manner by setting clear expectations, talking with me through every step, as well as being transparent on the pricing which was super reasonable. In addition, she was always very supportive and understanding of my situation. She is a true expert in her field. Thank you, Joan!
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23 Jan, 2024 by Jeff hodge
Dealing with the stress of taking care of a wife with Alzheimer’s, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the professionalism and compassion that we have received
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16 May, 2023 by Scott hay
The most deceitful, dishonest, unethical human being I've ever met. Not only will she outright lie, she will go so far as to attack the children involved!! My Bible tells me that there is a special punishment reserved for those who do harm to children. A millstone & being tossed into the sea is mentioned specifically. This type of abusive behavior most certainly qualifies. She has no moral compass & will resort to the sleeziest methods just to win. Lying and manipulation are just part of who she truly is. I am personally filing an ethics complaint with the Florida Bar. If you value honesty & have an honest love of children and doing the right thing, avoid her at all costs.
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26 Apr, 2020 by Rachel
Chris and his team (including Emilee) we’re so very helpful when I decided to file for bankruptcy. Due to a series of events, including a divorce, I had accumulated an amount of debt that was staggering to me. What’s more, there were several creditors that were becoming very nasty in an attempt to recoup their money, and because I had fallen on hard financial times, I simply couldn’t repay them. Chris and Emilee helped get all my filing paperwork in order. Even the hearing wasn’t as horrible as I’d expected it to be, thanks to their associate Isabel. Now, my bankruptcy is discharged and I’m back on the road to recovery. I’ll not soon forget how this firm helped me through a very difficult time in my life. Thank you all for your support.
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16 Feb, 2020 by Eddie
This firm is very professional and knowledgeable. They were patient with all my questions and made me feel very comfortable and ease with the whole bankruptcy process. Calls and emails were responded to quickly, which I really appreciated. I have already recommended them to my family and friends, and would continue to do so.
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25 Jan, 2020 by Evan
Terrible experience with this office. The secretary got my information incorrect several times then had to constantly ask for the same information after it was sitting right in front of her. You were hired and paid in full $1700 for a chapter 7. It took you weeks to get back to me that you couldn't file chapter 7 for me because i made too much money. When i said ok i no longer need your services then, you kept trying to sell me on a chapter 13. I had to fire Chris Crowder before he could even get hired. Too bad i had paid in full (very stupid on my part) Chris Crowder said i can only give you like $500 back. He tried to rob me of $1200 after he couldn't proceed with what he was hired to do. I have filed a formal complaint with the Fl bar association. His simple response of "why are you getting mad at me? I didn't get you into this situation." You are absolutely correct. Every bit of information in the consultation is crucial and i learned the hard way. He never went over, working overtime as such a critical impact and i realized that. But for you to lock the doors of your business after telling me you're keeping $1200 is pathetic. You are a pathetic sad and weak individual. I will never do business with you nor will i recommend anyone to do business with you. You are a scummy lawyer and that is it. When it was all said and done i was refunded $1000. So he got $700 to tell me he couldnt do anything for me. I have yet to see a receipt for what that $700 has gone to.
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13 Aug, 2024 by Nina zah
Thank you Mary Jane Murphy for your assistance . Very professional and helpful.
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12 Jul, 2024 by Kody best
To the guy answering phones, cutting me off mid talking and transferring me when I already let you know I spoke to the person you transferred me to. You can act as nice as you want when called back and confronted. That was petty as hell and you wouldn’t be treating anyone in the office that way and dismiss them the way you did me. Hopefully management can fix this issue.
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09 Apr, 2024 by Cole mount
Bill was extremely knowledgeable and truly a steward of the profession. Everyone I spoke to helped me greatly and they understood the frustration of what I am going through.
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13 Aug, 2024 by Nina zah
Thank you Mary Jane Murphy for your assistance . Very professional and helpful.
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12 Jul, 2024 by Kody best
To the guy answering phones, cutting me off mid talking and transferring me when I already let you know I spoke to the person you transferred me to. You can act as nice as you want when called back and confronted. That was petty as hell and you wouldn’t be treating anyone in the office that way and dismiss them the way you did me. Hopefully management can fix this issue.
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09 Apr, 2024 by Cole mount
Bill was extremely knowledgeable and truly a steward of the profession. Everyone I spoke to helped me greatly and they understood the frustration of what I am going through.
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13 Aug, 2024 by Nina zah
Thank you Mary Jane Murphy for your assistance . Very professional and helpful.
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12 Jul, 2024 by Kody best
To the guy answering phones, cutting me off mid talking and transferring me when I already let you know I spoke to the person you transferred me to. You can act as nice as you want when called back and confronted. That was petty as hell and you wouldn’t be treating anyone in the office that way and dismiss them the way you did me. Hopefully management can fix this issue.
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09 Apr, 2024 by Cole mount
Bill was extremely knowledgeable and truly a steward of the profession. Everyone I spoke to helped me greatly and they understood the frustration of what I am going through.
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13 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
I shelled out nearly $20,000 for his law firm for a crime that I was earnestly innocent and they basically led me to believe that they genuinely cared and I would be a priority. Once I handed them over the check, they didn't care about me anymore and I was mistreated by being ignored. Phone calls and emails were not responded to. I had no power to do anything about it because technically he is within his right to ignore me and not care about his clients. When you go in for a consultation, you see a brilliant fighter who will zealously represent you passionately and with fervor & diligence. Once the money is handed over to him, it is like Cinderella at midnight when she turns from a princess to an ordinary person. Basically, the lawyer you see during the consultation is NOT the same man he will act once he has gotten what he has wanted from you (your money). He will then suddenly then show his true colors once the motivation to I also found it EXTREMELY manipulative how during the consultation he emphasized that he sometimes turns down clients, and once you decide to hire him, he has the final say and there's a chance he will turn you away. In hindsight, this should have been a red flag because of how it induces you to consider yourself lucky if you are able to secure his legal representation. The last thing I want to emphasize is that "board certified" means NOTHING significantly valuable in the grand scheme of things. I over-estimated the importance of board certification but upon further research, all it means is that an attorney jumped through a few extra hoops so that they can put a shiny title next to their name or on their business card. Another instance of manipulation was how strongly I felt coaxed into signing a plea deal. During the initial consultation, I felt like he wanted to take my case to trial because he believed in my innocence. After hiring him, and as months passed, he emphasized that if I lost at trial that I could potentially be sent to prison because my charge was for a 2nd degree felony. I specifically remember him or his co-partner telling me that it's a bad idea to put my fate into the hands of a jury because the jury could potentially have unreasonable people who decide to take the word of law enforcement and simply vote to convict based on the fact very little evidence existed one way or another. I was made to feel that taking the case to trial proved I was being foolish and taking an extreme unnecessary risk of being sent to prison. In the interest of fairness, I will now briefly list a few positives about Kepler Funk. First, he's very intelligent. Second, he's super professional and hard-working during the initial consultation. Lastly, he has mostly 5-star reviews which I didn't expect. I guess if you're guilty and he gets you a good plea deal, then hats off to him. My experience with him was very negative and I feel like I owe my fellow Floridians a dire warning about him that he becomes a different person after he receives your money. The lawyer you see at the initial consultation IS NOT the same person you will represent you during your case. His diligence and professionalism and fervor all evaporate and you'll be left with an entitled, unmotivated lawyer who has zero incentive to do beyond the bare minimum job for you. In summary, this man is a mediocre lawyer, at best.
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08 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
I have been in trouble a lot. This is the first lawyer who told me the truth. He said, after reviewing my case for free, that I should stick with the public defender. I offered to pay him for his time and expert opinion and he said no. This guy is the real deal.
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02 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
Mr. Funk is a brilliant and phenomenal attorneys. He is a BOARD CERTIFIED attorney which most people do not research and understand the importance of being board certified. I am grateful for every effort this man has made to assist me and save my life. Incredibly intelligent, realistic, and compassionate! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
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15 Oct, 2020 by Ryan
Had someone fraud me and I won in court. Was looking for him to help enforce judgement and collection. Felt confident after talking with and hiring him but then never heard from them again unless I constantly e-mailed. Never recovered anything. I think all they did was file one document with the county and send a letter to her job. He said he helped people file bankruptcy all the time and knew how to recover from them, but maybe he's just there to protect them. I don't know. Having a hard time trusting lawyers to handle my case after this.
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26 Feb, 2020 by Jeffrey
This was my first time filing bankruptcy with simple consumer debt. Upon walking in, Mr. Faro first starts out with an interview to get an idea of where your money is now and what assets you may have. Honesty helps at this point since some people may think they do have valuables to actually find out at Auction they would not sell for much. So we studied the possessions, I have, and found out most would sell for far less than guessed. Mr. Faro also covered any other investments, businesses, stocks, etc. All of this is important to a case filing with the trustee who needs to know if you may have any assets which could either help pay the debts or not. Then after the 1st meeting which happens on your first walk-in mentioned above, the attorney will usually start the document signing process and explain, in detail, what each page means. Ask any question, make any statement and be open-minded since Mr. Faro does an excellent job with compassion toward most walks of life. After those 2 meetings listed above, there are 2 online exams, at least for me, to complete which are very simplistic. Just make sure to read it all before they give the quiz at the end of each exam. The first exam is about how you spend money on a monthly basis and understanding a budget so you can forecast the future of your finances. The second exam, which you can take later, is more about the basics of daily living and how often consumers need to pinch a penny or rather, learn conservative ethics about spending. The quiz has 2 trick questions with 8 other ones and it is all multiple choice. Upon completion, you will get 2 forms to print and safekeep. The first exam quiz is either win/lose based upon learning the information given. The second exam quiz, is graded between a score of 1-10 with ten being perfect. Just read all the information presented. It is also easier & faster to complete the 2 exams with a large tablet, laptop and best with a desktop. In addition, these exams can be taken within the first week of seeing Mr. Faro to expedite the process. The bankruptcy procedures are mostly done over the internet from home or anywhere there is access. So make sure you know how to scan, download and email documents to the secretary. By doing this, the workload is reduced by half thereby drastically reducing pesky paper trails and getting your case done, FAST. At this point, a trustee meeting is set which you must attend in court usually in Orlando or local in some cases. This part is usually quick and straightforward. Swear by oath, then answer the trustee's yes/no questions and listen carefully. Mr. Faro attends with the client in court. I waited in court for my turn to talk to the trustee, and was done in about 6-7 minutes. The final part of bankruptcy is waiting for the Discharge Agreement to arrive in the mail. If you followed everything mentioned by Mr. Faro, all you do is wait a couple months for the document. Keep in mind, honesty, with Mr. Faro, about assets or anything of potential debt value to whomever you owe is essential to winning a bankruptcy. --- My case is personalized. Any case could be different than said here. --- Overall, for value, performance and reliability, Mr. Faro explained everything I could think of. He even reminds you of odd things, most may never have heard of. They work with you as long as you work with them - honesty, integrity & swiftness as the key. 10/10
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06 Oct, 2019 by Anonymous
I believe Chris deceived me. You told me one thing I dished out a lot of money to no avail. When it came time for court all of a sudden it looks like the state attorney didn't know what was going on. After that Chris is no longer accepting the phone calls from my family or from me I had to literally threaten to call the bar on him for him even a reply via text still after this all I got was a three word text I'm highly dissatisfied I have been for over a year waiting for him resolve my case I would not recommend this attorney
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16 Apr, 2019 by Neal
Chris accepted my case while I was locked up & in the jail courtroom for my 1st appearance. He took a chance & believed in my case/story enough to say yes to representing me without even a consultation or phone call. I've been blown away by his kindness, work ethic & pursuit of justice in my name. If you're looking for an attorney who will fight for you, your rights and your freedom, look no further than Chris Cochran. The man has literally saved my life in every sense of the word (accepted late night collect jail calls, counseled me thru a SWAT standoff, courthouse cell counseling session etc) . Thank you Chris, I wouldn't be alive & free without you.
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27 Aug, 2018 by Anonymous
Attorney Weiss was our estate planning attorney for many years, but recently he has been completely inattentive to our emails and phone calls. We had a matter that required prompt response and for weeks he ignored our efforts to contact him. His unresponsiveness caused us many problems.
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24 Oct, 2011 by Caroline
I cannot say enough about Kurt. He was a total stranger who became my attorney during a legal matter regarding my sister, who had Alzheimer's. Laura Betten, his (now) associate, was her court appointed guardian who also did an excellent job. Kurt went over and above what the law required in trying to protect my sister's rights. He kept in touch with me, patiently answered my many questions, took a personal interest in our case, and over all was the epitomy of professionalism and trust. I would trust him with my life.....and I DID trust him with my sister's. In plain language, he is a wonderful man, inside and out!
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23 Aug, 2022 by Latardra
He’s very rude & disrespectful to his client, even hung up on me after I tried to call & speak with him. He’s in the wrong field. He’s supposed to be working for his client not against them. He has every right to be concerned about his freedom. This will not be the ending of it
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27 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
I have a "steel trap" *memory! Hired this "poor excuse" of *attorney (??) to represent me in my "first only" traffic accident in 2009, of which I was *genuinely "innocent". I had a face to face consultation in his office explaining my case, driving record, and innocence. He agreed to represent me and I agreed to pay his $500 fee. The day of court, he showed up almost an hour late! He then had the *gall to ask me: " and why are we here"? (!!) He *then asked me of my driving record (??!) which we had already previously discussed in his office at time of consultation! I had the "pleasure"(?) of appearing in front of the now "world renown" (now dis-barred!) "honorable" (???--LOL!) Judge John Murphy. Murphy found me guilty *before even hearing my case! Sedgwick did and said "absolutely nothing" in my defense *whatsoever! After court I asked this "nit-wit" why he didn't even represent me, his response was: "and so it goes". This half-baked, mindless, poor excuse of attorney virtually "ripped me off"! He should have been dis-barred the same day as Murphy! I wouldn't hire this guy again to represent a "toothache"!!! You couldn't make a $ Million on my case, so I wasn't worth your representing me Darrell (?) even though you snatched my $500?! I'm waiting to spot his obituary in the Fl. Today...there's a special "anchor" just for you ...."and so it goes" Darrell *buddy!
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09 Jun, 2016 by Robert a.
After defending my home from burglars , I found myself facing the possibility of losing my freedom and having a criminal record . Based on a referral , I contacted Darrell's office . I was immediately impressed how Darrell took the time to explain all the charges and the defenses available and did so with a genuine concern for all aspects of my well being. I found him to be available to answer any questions that I had during the entire legal process and even after ! In the courtroom is were Darrell really shines , his command of the courtroom is impressive. Darrell delivers the facts of the case to the court in a manner which allows no room for dispute and a positive outcome for the client , it was truly impressive to watch the entire court intently hanging on Darrell's every word . I thank Mr Sedgwick and the firm of Morgan & Barbary for every day of my freedom and lack of a criminal record !
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11 Apr, 2017 by Jennifer sontag
This guy is a joke he owns 2 apartment complexs and claims he's a lawyer and never is in his office or will set meetings with him. I live in one of his complexes and have had many issues with my apartment one being my ac blows warm air out and in the state of Florida that is a violation I probably have mold under my flooring not sure because I can't get anybody including there maintenance man. He never returns phone calls or emails and is never in his office and the ONLY NUMBER they give us goes to voice mail..This people are rude and possible scam artists as soon as I move I will!!!
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15 Mar, 2017 by Stephanie paquette
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12 Jul, 2011 by Anonymous
1. Routinely failed to keep me informed of important occurences. 2. Refused to answer questions as to what course of action he was taking. 3. Took steps that were clearly against my interests, for his own benefit. 4. Conspired with the opposing party in such a way as to compromise my case. 5. Very immature and egocentric. Unable to follow directions. 6. Inisists on "being the boss" and "running the show" when he does not understand the case. 7. Puts his fees ahead of client's interests, and bases his "strategy" on what will generate quick fees for minimal work, without regard to preserving client's rights and claims.
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27 Jan, 2018 by Thomas
Over 2 years to get a loan modification and I am now in foreclosure , I would never recommend . The bank is now trying to take my home and I'm fighting Cancer for the second time . In cahoots with Nationstar Mortgage . He allowed their attorneys to charge me over $15,000 in fees and said he would be able to reverse them . They kicked the can down the road and I even paid for a "mediation" in which Mr. Houck brought ZERO paperwork to defend me and the payments that I made to Nationstar.
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18 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
We hired Mr Houck back in 2010 to handle a time-sharing modification, our case ended in mid-2013 (the length of the case was not due to him). In this time, we have paid him a total of eight thousand dollars - well above the agree amount. There is no communication from Mr Houck even if you send a million emails, and leave numerous voice mails. When requesting phone conferences, he forgets and only gives you 5 minutes of him time and in the end says "email me the details", and then never responds to the emails until you physically sit down with him and he then reads and goes over the emails. The first time we went to court, he never showed up and had to phone in - which the judge thankfully allowed. His excuse was that his PA didn't put it on his calendar - which tells me he was not preparing for the hearing in the first place. He does not return phone calls or emails, and he is not informed about our personal case until we give him a brief review. I give him a 2-star because he did find a loop hole in the opposite Attorney's paperwork and he did win our case, but we did a lot of the paper work and research ourselves, he just had to file it and review so he knew what to argue. I called him after 11 months of not hearing any update on our case because I saw online there was a hearing on the judges calendar. 4 weeks later I finally got a hold of his PA and she informed me that they would have let us know the week prior - not considering that I have to arrange to take off work to attend the hearing. At the end of last year we advised him we will need to set up a payment plan to prepare for trial - a year later and trial now over with we were sent a bill payment due in full immediately. When we reminded him that we agreed to a payment plan his response was "payment plans are usually paid prior to trial, and since the trial is now over, payment is due immediately". If we thought we could pay a few thousands dollars at the drop of a hat I wouldn't have asked for a payment plan! I do not recommend him for any matter. He is not considerate of anyone's schedule, anyone's personal finances, and he does not stick to his promises or prior commitments.
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30 Jan, 2013 by Jonathan
I hired Mr. Houck to modify my divorce settlement (to amend vague language for time sharing). I paid him up front the amount which he assured me would cover through the trial. In over a year he called me twice and this was after I called and left multiple messages and emailed repeatedly asking for a phone call. As we approached the trial date he was less responsive. One week before the trial was to begin I emailed that I needed to speak with him. That was on a Monday with trial to begin the following Monday. His PA emailed that he would call me on Thursday. I responded that this was not acceptable and she said that he was busy. The next day I emailed again that I must speak with him. I was told he would call me that evening. He never called. On Tuesday the PA informed me that I owed $1500 in order to go to trial as they had used up my original payment. My ex-wife began saying she would settle so I emailed Mr. Houck that I would wait to see if she would sign the settlement before paying the trial amount, which was above my original agreement with Mr. Houck. His PA then emailed me that the amount was past due and needed to be paid before further work was done. This was communicated to me FIVE days before the trial was to begin. That hour I hired a new attorney who is excellent! Upon hiring the new attorney I discovered that Mr. Houck had done nothing except file for my court date. No documents were filed with the court, no witnesses, no depositions. Prior to hiring a new attorney I received the settlement documents and there were seven typos in the document. I informed them that there were typos and his PA emailed me back to please identify the typos. Quite frankly the worst lawyer experience I could imagine. He was non responsive, never called me unless I sent harsh emails, he was completely unprepared and he misrepresented his fees. Under no circumstances would I recommend Mr. Houck for any reason.
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08 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
This attorney is not good, I agree with the other reviewer, he's never prepared and doesn't fight for youaccording to the bar rules, he's done very suspicious activity that can at the very least cause disciplinary action by the bar, but we ALL know it's quite impossible to make a complaint to the bar. It's like you need a lawyer to complain and fill out a complaint form to the Florida bar.
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24 May, 2022 by Anonymous
Charged for excessive hours of conversations with another lawyer that never took place. Over billed by hundreds. Did not respond to emails then charged for reading them. Charged 1k for 9 bullet points Was blatantly unprepared for hearing and did not defend me I felt completely preyed upon
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26 Apr, 2018 by E
The best thing I can say is find a better lawyer. He got me a small settlement that could've easily been a bigger one by a better attorney. He also sent me to a doctor that took all my pip money and didn't end up testifying. You can read between the lines. He lied to me about how the case was going down just to settle out of court for the minimum amount that I didn't want to settle for. He assured me that it would not settle for that amount but it did and I settled for a little bit of money that didn't cover my recovery or expenses.
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  1. What experience do you have with cases similar to mine?
    Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in the specific area of law pertaining to your case.
  2. How do you charge for your services, and what are the estimated costs?
    Understand the fee structure, including hourly rates, flat fees, retainer fees, and any additional expenses.
  3. What potential outcomes can I expect from my case?
    While no lawyer can guarantee results, they can provide an assessment of possible scenarios based on their experience.
  4. What is your approach to handling cases like mine?
    Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
  5. Who will be working on my case?
    Find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally or delegate tasks to other attorneys or paralegals.
  6. How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
    Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times.
  7. What is the likely timeline for resolving my case?
    Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish.
  8. Do you have references from past clients?
    Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness.
  9. What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
    Understanding potential challenges helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations.
  10. Are there alternative ways to solve my legal problem?
    Discuss options like mediation, arbitration, or settlement to resolve the issue efficiently.

How to Check the Credibility of a Lawyer

Before hiring a lawyer, it's crucial to verify their credibility and ensure they're qualified to handle your case:

  1. Verify Their License:
    Check with your state's bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing.
  2. Experience and Specialization:
    Ensure the lawyer specializes in the area of law relevant to your case.
  3. Disciplinary Record:
    Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association.
  4. Client Reviews and Testimonials:
    Read reviews on legal directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to gauge client satisfaction.
  5. Professional Memberships:
    Membership in professional organizations or specialty bar associations can indicate a commitment to their field.
  6. Awards and Recognitions:
    Honors from reputable organizations reflect expertise and a positive reputation.
  7. Consultation Assessment:
    Use the initial consultation to evaluate their communication skills, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns.
  8. Ask for References:
    A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most of your initial meeting with a lawyer, come prepared with:

  1. Relevant Documents:
    Bring all documents related to your case, such as contracts, correspondence, legal notices, court papers, or evidence.
  2. Written Summary:
    Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and involved parties.
  3. List of Questions:
    Write down any questions you have about your case, the legal process, or the lawyer's experience.
  4. Financial Information:
    If applicable, bring financial documents like pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements.
  5. Contact Information:
    Provide details of any witnesses or other parties relevant to your case.
  6. Personal Identification:
    Bring a valid ID for verification purposes.
  7. Pen and Notebook:
    Take notes during the consultation to remember important points.
  8. Budget Constraints:
    Be ready to discuss your budget and any financial limitations.

How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a lawyer varies widely based on several factors:

  • Fee Structures:
    • Hourly Rate:
      Lawyers may charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour, depending on experience and location.
    • Flat Fee:
      For routine legal services like drafting a will or handling an uncontested divorce, lawyers might offer a flat fee.
    • Retainer Fee:
      An upfront payment against which the lawyer bills hourly fees.
    • Contingency Fee:
      Common in personal injury cases; the lawyer receives a percentage (typically 25% to 40%) of any settlement or award.
    • Monthly Retainer:
      For ongoing services, businesses might pay a monthly fee for a set number of hours or services.
  • Factors Affecting Cost:
    • Complexity of the Case:
      More complex cases require more time and resources, increasing costs.
    • Lawyer's Experience:
      Highly experienced lawyers may charge higher fees.
    • Geographic Location:
      Legal fees can vary significantly by region or city.
    • Additional Expenses:
      Court filing fees, expert witness fees, travel expenses, and administrative costs may be extra.
  • Estimating Total Costs:
    Request a detailed fee agreement outlining all potential costs.
    Discuss any additional expenses that may arise during the case.
  • Negotiating Fees:
    Some lawyers may be willing to negotiate fees or offer payment plans, especially for clients with financial constraints.
  • Pro Bono Services:
    For those who cannot afford legal services, some lawyers or legal aid organizations offer services at reduced rates or for free.
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